Fans were left furious and emotional, accusing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of being too quick to hand over the iconic number after Virat Kohli’s recent retirement from Test cricket. For fans, jersey No. 18 is more than just a number, as it has become synonymous with Kohli’s fighting spirit, aggressive mindset, greatness, passion, and unmatched commitment to the game.
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However, Kohli has not retired from ODI cricket, so it is highly unlikely that the former Indian captain’s jersey number would be retired anytime soon by the BCCI.
Here's how fans react to No. 18's return to Indian whites:
— ᴊᴇʀsᴇʏ¹⁸? (@KINGNATION__18) May 31, 2025
— आदित्य?? (@Aditya4BMR) May 31, 2025
— Viratian (@Viratian1278919) May 31, 2025
— Vrmaneesha (@maneeshavr90362) June 1, 2025
— Gaurav Shukla (@GauravS28903J) June 1, 2025
— Ash Cohle (@ashcohle) June 1, 2025
— Chinmay Naik (@starchinu) May 31, 2025
— Goगोल (@GoGool100) June 1, 2025
— Pranav Singh (@ImPranav7316) May 31, 2025
— Kaisar (@Kaisariscute) May 31, 2025
The former Indian cricket team captain made his international debut on August 18, and sadly, he also lost his father on December 18, 2006. So, the number 18 is close to Kohli’s heart, and he has sported the number since making his debut for India.
Monty Panesar drops a bombshell on Virat Kohli's Test retirement
Meanwhile, former England spinner Monty Panesar has shockingly claimed that Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket to skip the England tour.
Monty Panesar was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times, “I genuinely thought he was going to play. Everyone, including England, was expecting him to be part of the series. I’m surprised that he has pulled out."
Notably, Kohli will be next seen in action in the IPL 2025 final on June 3 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. RCB will face either PBKS or MI in the title clash. It will be decided after the Qualifier 2 clash on Sunday, June 1, in Ahmedabad between PBKS and MI.
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